MINISTRY

          It is a real joy and blessing of the Lord to be involved in what the Lord has done in Thailand through brother Jim Barlow.  Bro. Barlow has been in Thailand for about seven years now and the Lord has wrought a work that is amazing.  Jim and Phyllis Barlow had a burden on their heart to start a children's home in the country of Thailand.  Together wth their home church, Hilltop Baptist Church, in Riceville TN, they have accomplished much for the Lord.  They now house twenty children at the home and at this point all of these have made a profession of faith.  What a joy it is for us to be involved with this work.  The Lord laid it on our heart to go to Thailand and assist Bro. Barlow and to assist in the developement of a Bible Training Institute for young preachers and preacher's wives there at the home.  
          At the same time that we are working with Bro. Barlow and the Lisu pastor there at Hilltop Baptist Church, we will be actively involved in church planting in Chiang Rai and the surrounding areas.  
          It is our burden to see the lost saved and to plant Independent Baptist, Indigenous churches in Thailand.  The region we are going to is the northernmost province in Thailand, the province of Chiang Rai.  The Children's Home is located in the village of Rong Bir.  All of the children in the home are from the Hill Tribe region, located in the mountains, all around the upper portion of Thailand.  We have, represented in the home, children from three different tribes: Lisu, Lahu, and Akah.  These people groups have their own traditions, language, manner of living, etc.  All of the children speak their native language, and also, all of them speak Thai.  This is the language that we will concentrate on, since it is the official language.
          It is our burden to see some of these young men from the Hilltribe region get under the burden to see their lost loved ones saved, and to surrender their lives to the work of the Lord.  I believe God will call some over into the countries of their nativity.  These are all closed countries, Laos, Burma, China.  Thank God for this tremendous open door that He has provided for us.